Alamogordo looking to revitalize downtown area

City Commissioners voted unanimously to provide local government support for the Alamogordo Main Street Initiative on Monday

During a regular commission meeting, Pamela Lee, the city planning and zoning chairman presented a proposal to the city commission to support the Alamogordo Main Street Initiative.

Lee said the city's planning and zoning committee fully supported the Alamogordo Main Street Initiative and recommended the commission support it as well.

"Main Street is a grassroots economic development program that helps communities revitalizes the core of their cities," Lee said.

She said the Main Street program would stimulate and restore the downtown area of Alamogordo.

"Downtown is the heart of the city," she said. "There is a saying that if the heart is healthy so is the rest of the body. It's the same for a city."

Lee said cities in New Mexico have been involved with the Main Street program for almost 30 years. Lee said 27 cities in the state are already part of the Main Street program.

Main Street Committee chairman Dr. Terry Marquardt said New Mexico cities that are in the Main Street program have seen economic improvement.

Marquardt said the city of Clovis, which is similar in size and population to Alamogordo is a perfect example of how Clovis benefited from the program.

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"Clovis, which has a population of 37,774, entered the Main Street program in 2001," he said. "It created 215 new jobs and 83 new businesses and brought $21,424,680 in private investment to the city."

Marquardt said the Main Street program is a successful program because of the partnership it creates and fosters.

"Main Street is a private, public partnership that involves the community local government and state government," he said. "When those forces combine I think that we'll have a positive effect on the economy of Alamogordo."

According to Marquardt, if Alamogordo is selected to be a Main Street community the city would receive assistance from the New Mexico Economic Development Department. He said the NMEDD would provide professional and technical assistance and resources to the community to restore the downtown area.

"The New Mexico Main Street estimated annual fair market value of services — if purchased directly by the community — is worth $50,000 per year," he said.

Marquardt said the Otero County Economic Development Council has agreed to be the fiscal agent until Alamogordo Main Street has completed the 501c3, non-profit application process.

According to Marquardt, for the state to consider the application a local government must contract for services a minimum of $15,000 with the Alamogordo Main Street non-profit organization.

Mayor Susie Galea said she was concerned about tax dollars being used to fund the Main Street program.

"There are a few questions I have about the details because it does involve tax dollars," Galea said. "The funding would most likely come from the city's lodger's tax."

Galea said the city uses the lodger's tax to support the Alamogordo Chamber of Commerce. She said the chamber uses the funding for tourism and promotional services. She asked if the Main Street program would be competing for the same funds as the chamber of commerce.

Marquardt said Main Street wouldn't be competing with the chamber for funding because it would partner with the chamber to help generate commerce.

Galea also asked if the Main Street program would affect the costs of leases or mortgage to go up in the downtown area of the city.

"In any community where there is more revenue and there is more commercial district and a thriving economy – rents do go up," Marquardt said. "But it's in proportion to the profits."

After hearing the presentation, the city commission voted in favor of supporting the initiative.

Marquardt said having the backing of local government was an integral part of the application process. He said he was glad the city voted in favor of providing support for the Alamogordo Main Street initiative.

Marquardt said the Main Street application will be sent on Sept. 29 to the Economic Development Department in Santa Fe for review.

"The application process to become a Main Street community is a competitive one," he said "The New Mexico legislature has appropriated funding for two new Main Street communities in 2014. We are vying for one of those slots."

Marquardt said he was unaware of the other cities that are potential candidates for the Main Street program in New Mexico. He added that he was confident about Alamogordo being chosen for the program.

"I think we have a good chance," he said. "All the heavy hitters that would have been our main competition are already in the program."

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